[IER] Resistance grows to casualised and poorly paid work

[Sarah Glenister]

IER News Brief 22/09/17

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news brief

Friday 22nd September 2017

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There has been evidence this week of a growing resistance to casualised and poorly paid work.

Public opinion overwhelmingly backs an end to the public sector pay cap, according to a new poll for The Independent <http://ier.us12.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=17a6647314&e=71131c031b> ; the Low Pay Commission has called on the government to better enforce the minimum wage after a report showed one in five minimum wage workers are likely to be underpaid <http://ier.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=8c00a0d199&e=71131c031b> ; and even a right-wing think tank has called for employers to boost productivity by investing in their workforce <http://ier.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=00df2a3d00&e=71131c031b> .

Elsewhere, Uber has lost its license to operate in London after TfL expressed concerns over the company's attitude towards corporate responsibility and customer safety. The company, which has become emblematic of the burgeoning gig economy, has been consistently under fire from the courts, unions, and parliamentary inquiries for its attempts to flout employment law and other regulations.

At our fringe event at the Labour Party Conference on Monday 25th September, the IER will discuss these issues and our recommendations for the reform of labour law <http://ier.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=ba676eb117&e=71131c031b> , which John McDonnell last week confirmed would become the blueprint for the Labour Party's employment law policies <http://ier.us12.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=ec06e7e2be&e=71131c031b> .

Among our guest speakers will be Shadow Business Secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey, who has said of the IER's Manifesto for Labour Law: "When we return to power, the Labour Party will make it our priority to rebalance legislation to ensure that there is appropriate, proportional and robust support for the UK's 31 million workers and businesses alike, drawing upon the IER's Manifesto for Labour Law to strengthen statutory rights and prevent exploitation."

If you will not be able to attend the fringe meeting on Monday, keep a check on our Labour Party Conference page <http://ier.us12.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=bdb4a33d89&e=71131c031b>  where you can find a four-page summary of our proposals and other materials available at the fringe.

Subscribers receive all of our publications free and discount rates on our conferences.  <http://ier.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=6c761e6c1f&e=71131c031b> Subscribe now

 


	

 News and comment

	

 ZHCs <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/cf3c70ae-025a-4aaa-9acb-555c611bdd4e.jpg> 

	1.4m now on zero-hour contracts
There are now 1.4 million workers employed via zero-hour contracts, according to the latest Office for National Statistics report.
 <http://ier.us12.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=68af04d365&e=71131c031b> > click here to read full story


 Public sector <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/e80db0b0-be8d-47c8-8d7d-05383e5cbcb3.png> 

	Recruitment/retention hurt by public sector pay gap, IFS advises
The Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) has warned the government that recruitment, retention and motivation is being harmed by the public sector pay cap.
 <http://ier.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=a042439c0e&e=71131c031b> > click here to read full story


 Workers' rights <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/b1c726de-bf3c-454c-9dd0-50d42672c9ff.png> 

	Agency staff 'punished' for turning down shifts, research shows
New research from the University of Salford and Sheffield Hallam has found that agency workers are being punished for such things as turning down shifts or opposing management.
 <http://ier.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=4c1b9537fc&e=71131c031b> > click here to read full story


 Low Pay <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/c9de063b-cd73-4fc5-8d13-fb67b7e3e040.png> 

	One in five minimum wage workers may be illegally underpaid, govt agency reveals
One in five minimum wage workers are potentially being illegally underpaid, the Low Pay Commission (LPC) has revealed.
 <http://ier.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=06259f8361&e=71131c031b> > click here to read full story


 Workers' rights <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/b1c726de-bf3c-454c-9dd0-50d42672c9ff.png> 

	Productivity lagging 'because employers won't invest in their staff', says study
The UK is currently falling behind its G7 competitors by the widest gap in recorded history when it comes to economic productivity, and a new study suggests this lag is being fuelled by employers seeing low-paid workers as disposal labour rather than investing in training to upskill their staff.
 <http://ier.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=7b752d2d1f&e=71131c031b> > click here to read full story


 Public Sector <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/e80db0b0-be8d-47c8-8d7d-05383e5cbcb3.png> 

	Two-thirds oppose public sector pay cap, poll shows
A poll conducted by The Independent has shown that most Britons oppose the public sector pay cap.
 <http://ier.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=687ad7c041&e=71131c031b> > click here to read full story

 




	

 Labour Party Fringe - Monday 25 September, 12:30 

	

 





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  Events 

	

 The Future of Equality Law at Work: Liverpool <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/f8482d95-620d-4d2b-9b29-bca2e1423776.jpg> 

	Liverpool: The Future of Equality Law at Work
05 October 2017 - 09:30 - 15:30
Unite the Union, Liverpool
This conference brings together some of the UK’s leading experts from the fields of law, academia and campaigning to discuss the state of play for equality protections in the country today, what threats they face, and how they can be protected.
Speakers include Matthew Creagh, Dr Anastasia Tataryn, Jo Seery, David Sorensen, Robin White and Dr Wanda Wyporska.
 <http://ier.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=4ffce1d7ff&e=71131c031b> > click here to read more and book your place


 The Future of Equality Law at Work: London <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/0e25140e-eed6-4cb6-8fba-936df33aac09.jpg> 

	London: The Future of Equality Law at Work
18 October 2017 - 09:30 - 15:30
Unite the Union, London
This conference brings together some of the UK’s leading experts from the fields of law, academia and campaigning to discuss the state of play for equality protections in the country today, what threats they face, and how they can be protected.
Speakers include Matthew Creagh, Aileen McColgan, Rakesh Patel, David Sorensen, Robin White, Dr Lydia Hayes and Dr Wanda Wyporska.
 <http://ier.us12.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=28d6c5f484&e=71131c031b> > click here to read more and book your place


 Post-Brexit: Glasgow <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/d704eb1f-18d5-4229-afa4-6f23f8000cc8.jpg> 

	Glasgow: Post-Brexit Employment Rights and Trade Deals
16 November 2017 - 09:30 - 15:30
Unite the Union, Glasgow
At this one-day conference, some of the UK's leading academics, lawyers and campaigners will discuss the threats to employment law posed by Brexit, as well as proposing ideas for how workers' rights can be protected and even improved upon during the negotiations with the EU, as well as in future trade deals.
Speakers include Hilda Palmer, Professor Keith Ewing, Ruth Dukes, Vince Mills, Jackson Cullinane, Jane Carolon and Robin White.
 <http://ier.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=673b3fdada&e=71131c031b> > click here to read more and book your place


 Post-Brexit: Liverpool <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/68ee08e0-2be1-44e9-838f-be9fca2f366c.jpg> 

	Liverpool: Post-Brexit Employment Rights and Trade Deals
30 November 2017 - 09:30 - 15:30
Unite the Union, Liverpool
At this one-day conference, some of the UK's leading academics, lawyers and campaigners will discuss the threats to employment law posed by Brexit, as well as proposing ideas for how workers' rights can be protected and even improved upon during the negotiations with the EU, as well as in future trade deals.
Speakers include Hilda Palmer, Professor Keith Ewing, Iain Birrell, Professor John Foster and Dan Kindell.
 <http://ier.us12.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=0df3a03799&e=71131c031b> > click here to read more and book your place

 



	

  Publications

	

 CB Europe <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/89596b4b-fb8c-466d-974a-89baa936f609.jpg> 

	The Legacy of Thatcherism in European Labour Relations: The Impact of the Politics of Neo-Liberalism and Austerity on Collective Bargaining in a Fragmenting Europe: £8
By Miguel Martinez Lucio, Aristea Koukiadaki and Isabel Tavora
As the UK prepares to leave the European Union, this analysis – the 11th in our Comparative Notes series – shines a light on the deleterious effect of the nation's deregulatory influence on the bloc.
 <http://ier.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=2f272a2211&e=71131c031b> > click here to read more and purchase


 CB in Social Care <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/f5cd005c-17c2-4c04-bd1f-452d91c64d61.jpg> 

	8 Good Reasons Why Adult Social Care Needs Sectoral Collective Bargaining: £8
By Dr Lydia Hayes
In this booklet, Dr Lydia Hayes sets out the lessons learned from her interdisciplinary research into the social care sector, and builds upon the recommendations made in the Institute of Employment Rights' Manifesto for Labour Law: a comprehensive revision of worker’s rights to propose a sectoral collective bargaining structure for the negotiation of wages and conditions.
 <http://ier.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=500966f92d&e=71131c031b> > out on 23 September - click here to pre-order


 LLH2016 <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/815fda47-e4b4-4148-a3e2-81af67efe0a4.jpg> 

	Labour Law Highlights 2016: £8
Edited by Rebecca Tuck
This year’s Labour Law Highlights is produced against the backdrop of a Brexit vote in the UK and a Trump victory in the USA. It promises to be a bumpy ride ahead!
 <http://ier.us12.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=297cf0ca3f&e=71131c031b> > click here to read more and purchase


 Health and Safety Time for Change <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/afdba51d-b908-42ab-8241-ddca46df52ce.jpg> 

	Health and Safety at Work Act: Time for Change: £10
By Phil James and David Walters
The world of work is changing. Fast. But the framework of law tasked with protecting the health, safety and well being of workers is now 50 years old and – according to the authors of this report – no longer fit for purpose. The authors put forth proposals for reform
 <http://ier.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=ec2f95d621&e=71131c031b> > click here to read more and purchase


 EU Developments <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/fb25d1db-2c1e-4d50-8d47-17dc166f146f.jpeg> 

	Access to Justice: Exposing the myths: £6
By Andrew Moretta
In the second of IER’s series of Mythbusters, Andrew Moretta considers the many myths surrounding access to justice, including the narrative surrounding the “red tape” and “burdens on business” ideology, which he believes paved the way for systematic attacks on the tribunal system.
 <http://ier.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=c6f6eef333&e=71131c031b> > click here to read more and purchase


 Kill the Bill <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/3a996d1c-1459-4dfb-81b8-8901488dad8a.jpg> 

	Protect the right to strike: kill the bill: £5
By John Hendy QC & Professor Keith Ewing
Two leading experts on trade union rights – Professor Keith Ewing and John Hendy QC – publish a short but comprehensive overview of the Trade Union Bill and its implications.
 <http://ier.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=3a20a454f7&e=71131c031b> > click here to read more and purchase 


 Ballot Thresholds <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/cee8b19e-c2dc-452d-a284-b14209fbf568.jpg> 

	The Conservative Government’s proposed strike ballot thresholds: The challenge to trade unions: from £6
By Professor Ralph Darlington and Dr John Dobson
According to the authors of this timely report, the government is attempting to rush into law ‘the most sweeping and radical tightening of rules on industrial action since the Thatcher era of the 1980’s’. They warn that such proposals could result in ‘the biggest showdown over industrial relations for a generation’ and go on to drill down into one aspect of the government’s proposals – strike ballots.
 <http://ier.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=471ba1ebc0&e=71131c031b> > click here to read more and purchase 


 Keithe Ewing <https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/6ac2ddd4-6bd6-4c3f-81ad-06fdb882171c.jpg> 

	The mythology of business: from £6
By David Whyte
The ‘myths’ that this publication takes into consideration are the kind of things that politicians now routinely say without thinking. Yet these 10 myths have very little foundation in reality and are rarely, if ever, accompanied with any concrete evidence to support them.
 <http://ier.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=7da33808f6&e=71131c031b> > click here to read more and purchase 

		
	

 


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